EAST PROVIDENCE – More than 436 businesses impacted by the westbound Washington Bridge closure have applied for relief loans offered by the U.S. Small Business Association as of Jan. 2, the agency said.
Meanwhile, the SBA's Business Recovery Center, launched Dec. 19 at the Weaver Memorial Library, has assisted more than 55 visitors in accessing this emergency relief, SBA spokesperson Anita F. Steenson told PBN.
Last month, the SBA announced it would offer low-interest loans of up to $2 million to businesses in areas most impacted by the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, which went into effect on the night of Dec. 11 after crews discovered critical infrastructure concerns.
The SBA is still processing applications and has yet to issue approvals, Steenson said.
In Rhode Island, small businesses in Providence, Kent and Bristol counties are eligible for loans. Additionally, small businesses in Bristol, Norfolk and Worcester counties in Massachusetts and Windham County in Connecticut can apply.
The program has received a huge response, said Mayor Bob DaSilva.
“In talking to [SBA] people who deal with this, they’ve had other major disasters across the nation where they only get a sprinkling of small businesses coming in looking for help,” DaSilva said. “They are very impressed with the [local] outreach, and the fact that these small businesses are aware that this is a resource for them.”
On Dec. 13, the state temporarily opened two lanes on the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge to westbound traffic, which has significantly eased traffic in East Providence. But the community experienced severe backup when, from the night of Dec. 11 through Dec. 15, all westbound, non-emergency vehicles were rerouted over the Henderson Bridge.
Most East Providence businesses have by now reported a return to pre-bridge closure activity, DaSilva said, with only minor traffic congestion occurring at some intersections in the city during morning rush hour.
But the closure struck at a critical time of the year, when many local businesses rely on holiday shopping and parties to bolster their yearly revenue.
And though the SBA has already received hundreds of applications, DaSilva suspects that this timing means that even more businesses need loans, but haven't had time to apply.
“I think we’ve demonstrated that the numbers have been really good here,” DaSilva said. “I just don’t want to have a situation where someone is not able to meet someone with the SBA because they were too busy with the holiday season and the immediate time after.”
Accordingly, DaSilva says he plans to request that state and SBA officials extend the Business Recovery Center's timeline. Initially intended to stay in place through around mid-January, DaSilva says he'd like to see the service remain at the library for another three weeks.
And regardless of how long the center stays open, businesses will have until Sept. 16, 2024, to apply for relief loans.
As of Dec. 28, 317 loan applications were from businesses based in Providence County, DaSilva said.
Another 34 businesses from Kent County and 21 from Bristol County also applied, in addition to 16 businesses from eligible communities in Massachusetts.
The Business Recovery Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.
